Retractable cord management system

Abstract

A cord management system for a cabinet or other similar furniture, appliances, or other applications include a conduit. A cord management weight is disposed within the conduit. The cord management weight includes a cord receiving portion and a weight locking feature. The cord receiving portion is configured to receive a portion of an electrical cord of an electronic device. The weight locking feature is configured to selectively prevent translational movement of the cord management weight within the conduit. The cord management weight is configured to be selectively retracted into the conduit and locked into position within the conduit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cord management system comprising:
 a storage rack of a cabinet; 
 a receptacle within the storage rack and extending below an upper surface of the storage rack, the receptacle sized to support an electronic device; 
 a conduit coupled to the storage rack of the cabinet and extending below the upper surface of the storage rack, the conduit having a plurality of flexible conduit locking features disposed at different locations along the length of the conduit and configured to extend into the conduit when no force is applied to the flexible locking features, wherein an electrical outlet configured to supply power to the electronic device is supported by the cabinet; 
 a cord management weight disposed within the conduit, the cord management weight having a cord receiving portion and a detent on the exterior surface, the cord receiving portion configured to receive a portion of an electrical cord of the electronic device, and the weight detent configured to selectively receive one of the plurality of flexible conduit locking features of the conduit, preventing translational movement of the cord management weight within the conduit, wherein the cord management weight is configured to be selectively retracted into the conduit and locked into position within the conduit, 
 wherein the plurality of flexible locking features are configured to flex permitting passage of the cord management weight in response to an upward or a downward force applied to the cord management weight. 
 
     
     
       2. The cord management system of  claim 1 , wherein the detent locks the position of the cord management weight in one of a plurality of locations within the conduit. 
     
     
       3. The cord management system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible conduit locking features comprise a flex ring configured to flex into the detent to prevent translational movement of the cord management weight relative to the conduit. 
     
     
       4. A cabinet comprising:
 a rack, supported by a side wall of the cabinet; 
 a receptacle within the rack and extending below an upper surface of the rack, the receptacle configured to support an electronic device; 
 an electrical outlet, supported by the side wall of the cabinet, configured to provide electrical power to the electronic device; 
 a conduit having an opening at an end of the conduit nearest to the electrical outlet, the conduit extending below the upper surface of the rack and having a plurality of flexible conduit locking features disposed at different locations along the length of the conduit and configured to extend into the conduit when no force is applied to the flexible locking features; 
 a cord management weight disposed within the conduit, the cord management weight having a cord receiving portion configured to receive a portion of an electrical cord of the electronic device, and a detent on the exterior surface configured to selectively receive one of the plurality of flexible conduit locking features, preventing translational movement of the cord management weight within the conduit, wherein the electrical cord may be selectively retracted into the conduit via the cord management weight, 
 wherein the plurality of flexible locking features are configured to flex permitting passage of the cord management weight in response to an upward or a downward force applied to the cord management weight. 
 
     
     
       5. The cord management system of  claim 1 , wherein the weight detent is configured to selectively prevent translational movement of the cord management weight at a plurality of locations within the conduit. 
     
     
       6. The cord management system of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit comprises a first end having an exposed opening and a second end that is closed. 
     
     
       7. The cord management system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible conduit locking features comprise a flex lock configured to flex into the detent to prevent translational movement of the cord management weight relative to the conduit. 
     
     
       8. The cord management system of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible conduit locking features comprise a flex ring configured to flex into the detent to prevent translational movement of the cord management weight relative to the conduit. 
     
     
       9. The cabinet of  claim 4 , further comprising a cabinet housing, wherein the conduit is self-contained within the cabinet housing. 
     
     
       10. The cabinet of  claim 4 , wherein the electrical outlet is configured to receive electrical power from a power supply external to the cabinet. 
     
     
       11. The cabinet of  claim 4 , wherein the end is a first end, and the conduit further comprises a second closed end opposite the first end. 
     
     
       12. The cord management system of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible conduit locking features comprise a flex lock configured to flex into the detent to prevent translational movement of the cord management weight relative to the conduit. 
     
     
       13. A locking system for a cord management weight, the locking system comprising:
 a plurality of flexible conduit locking features operatively coupled to a conduit that is sized to receive a cord management weight, the conduit coupled to a rack of a cabinet, the rack configured to support an electronic device, wherein an electrical outlet configured to supply power to the electronic device is supported by the cabinet; 
 at least three predetermined locking positions within the conduit; 
 a weight locking feature comprising a detent operatively coupled to the cord management weight, wherein the weight locking feature is configured to operatively receive the flexible conduit locking features as the cord management weight moves within the conduit, the cord management weight being selectively locked into one of the at least three predetermined locking positions within the conduit when the conduit locking features are operatively coupled to the weight locking feature, 
 wherein the flexible conduit locking features are configured to flex permitting passage of the cord management weight in response to an upward or a downward force applied to the cord management weight. 
 
     
     
       14. The locking system of  claim 13 , wherein the flexible conduit locking features comprise a flex ring configured to flex into the detent to prevent translational movement of the cord management weight relative to the conduit. 
     
     
       15. The locking system of  claim 13 , wherein the flexible conduit locking features comprise a flex lock configured to flex into the detent to prevent translational movement of the cord management weight relative to the conduit.